John Legend's Iconic Piano Sound from 'Ordinary People' Now Available on Splice
John Legend is bringing the iconic piano sound from his Grammy-winning breakout single 'Ordinary People' to Splice, the company announced on Thursday. This move marks a significant collaboration between the renowned musician and the leading music production platform.
Splice, known for its innovative music production tools, recently launched its virtual instrument platform, Splice Instrument. This launch comes just two weeks after the company introduced Splice Instrument and approximately six months after acquiring Spitfire Audio for a reported $50 million. The partnership with John Legend is a testament to Splice's commitment to offering high-quality, artist-driven content.
The piano sound captured for Splice is a meticulous recreation of the one used in the original recording of 'Ordinary People'. It was recorded on Legend's Yamaha C7 baby grand piano, using the same microphones and signal chain as the original, ensuring an authentic and raw acoustic instrument sound. Legend himself emphasized the appeal of this natural, unprocessed sound, stating, 'Sometimes people just want that natural, raw sound of an acoustic instrument, and pianos, they’re undefeated.'
This collaboration is particularly special for Legend, as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of his debut album, 'Get Lifted', released in December 2004. The album's iconic piano sound has become an integral part of his artistic identity, and now producers can access this signature sound through Splice.
Splice Instrument's launch included presets from other renowned artists, such as Philip Glass's baby grand piano and Paul McCartney's drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr.'s drums. However, John Legend's addition to the platform is a significant milestone, offering a distinct and high-profile instrumental sound. Splice plans to expand its library with more high-profile instrument downloads in the coming months, further enhancing its platform's versatility.
The partnership between Splice and John Legend is a testament to the power of collaboration in music creation. Splice CEO, Kakul Srivastava, expressed the excitement of combining Legend's artistry with Spitfire Audio's recording technology, stating, 'Being able to combine John’s artistry, the quality and precision of the Spitfire Audio recording technology, and Splice innovation has been powerful.'
As Splice continues to innovate, adding AI capabilities in the new year, this collaboration with John Legend sets a new standard for how creators can collaborate with the artists they admire. It invites producers and musicians to explore and create their own stories, inspired by the iconic sounds of John Legend's 'Ordinary People'.